Radiological Assistance Program Nuclear Scientist/Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement program

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks a Nuclear Scientist/Engineer to coordinate the Region 7 RAP program, advancing radiological/nuclear emergency preparedness within the STAR Directorate. The role involves training, technical liaison work, and support for 24/7 watch readiness, including frequent travel to domestic and international locations.

Positioned as a Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) First Responder, the role may be filled at SES.2 or SES.3 level based on experience,

Qualifications

• Active DOE Q-level or Top-Secret clearance at hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, nuclear engineering, chemistry, health physics, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of radiation detection principles and equipment deployment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical expert for RAP program in equipment, training, and readiness.
• Develop training for RAP team members on equipment and procedures.
• Monitor training readiness and report to management.
• Coordinate with RAP regions for priorities and act as primary technical contact.
• Participate in drills, exercises, and evaluations.
• Maintain RAP qualifications and readiness for deployment.

Skills

Clearance coordination

Training development

Drill planning

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics or nuclear engineering or related

Tools

Radiation detection equipment

Job description

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an immediate opening for a Nuclear Scientist/Engineer, who will act as a point of contact for the Region 7 Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) to coordinate the RAP regional technical and scientific interests full-time for LLNL’s nuclear emergency preparedness and response activities within the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) Principal Directorate.

RAP’s mission is to provide the nation with an agile, scalable, and rapidly deployable federal first response capability in support of radiological/nuclear crisis operations and consequence management events.

This position is considered a Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) First Responder and must maintain training, qualification, and other requirements for deployment. The position requires travel, sometimes often, to domestic and international locations, some in potentially austere environments. The position may include supporting a 24-hour/7-day watch bill rotation.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• May serve as a technical expert for the RAP Program in equipment, training, outreach and operational readiness.


• Contribute to the development of training for new and experienced RAP team members on equipment, software and operational procedures.


• Monitor team training readiness and prepare periodic status reports and recommendations for management.


• Coordinate with other RAP regions to determine training priorities and objectives and serve as the primary technical contact for the program.


• Participate in planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of drills and exercises.


• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of all RAP specialized detection equipment and procedures.


• Provide input for moderately critical regional plans, budget estimates, organizational objectives and programmatic schedules.


• Contribute to the development of presentations, demonstrations, and hands‑on training for partner agencies at the federal, state and local level.


• May represent the RAP region in regular conference calls, group meetings and working groups.


• Provide solutions to technical and often moderately complex to complex issues in preventative radiological/nuclear detection.


• Participate in the evaluation and integration of new equipment to enhance and streamline RAP operations.


• Maintain all qualifications and readiness requirements to serve as a RAP responder.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Responsibilities, At The SES.3 Level

• Independently analyze and resolve highly technical, complex, and often ambiguous problems, leading projects from planning through successful completion.


• Identify critical gaps in RAP capabilities and develop innovative applications, methods, and technical recommendations to strengthen mission effectiveness, responder readiness, and emergency response capabilities.

Qualifications

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.


• Bachelor’s degree in physics, nuclear engineering, chemistry, health physics, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.


• Comprehensive knowledge of radiation detection principles including equipment capabilities, detection limits and deployment considerations.


• Broad experience operating, maintaining and troubleshooting radiation detection equipment.


• Broad experience developing and delivering training to various audiences.


• Comprehensive knowledge of the current RAP program, personnel, partners, and customers.


• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with team members, partner agencies and members of the public.


• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to present and explain technical or operational information.


• Ability to obtain and maintain RAP responder qualification in accordance with applicable Personnel Qualifications Standards (PQS).

Additional Qualifications At The SES.3 Level

• Advanced experience with the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of radiation detection equipment.


• Direct experience with NNSA nuclear emergency preparedness and response capabilities.


• Relevant technical experience supporting nuclear emergency preparedness and response.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in health physics, nuclear engineering, nuclear science or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.


• Experience in operational health physics or radiological control experience.


• Knowledge of gamma spectroscopy methods and nuclear measurement methods.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually at the SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually at the SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!


• Flexible Benefits Package


• 401(k)


• Relocation Assistance


• Education Reimbursement Program


• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)


• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

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